September 22, 2013

Defensive end Anthony Spencer is further from returning to the lineup than he was last week

Cowboys defensive end Anthony Spencer is further from returning to the starting lineup than he was last week.

Spencer, who played 34 snaps in the loss to the Chiefs, was inactive for Sunday’s game against the Rams.

“We thought during the week it didn’t look like he’d be able to go this week,” Cowboys defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin said. “We didn’t know for sure, but he had another little setback. We’re sure [eager] to get him in there.”

Spencer missed practice Wednesday and Friday and was limited Thursday. He has practiced only three times since undergoing knee surgery July 25.

George Selvie has started in Spencer’s spot, and he had two tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit. Selvie has two sacks in three games.

Of the 10 defensive linemen currently on the Cowboys' roster, five weren't with them at the start of training camp. Starting defensive tackle Jay Ratliff will miss at least the first six games on PUP with a groin injury. Nick Hayden has started in his place.

"I’m really pleased, because you saw them out there making plays," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. "It does show that to some degree, a different system makes you use players that you might not have used in a different system, and some of these guys aren’t as long as we’ve always thought they need to be in a 3-4 and they’re coming in here and really contributing. We’ll keep this up, and I have to give Rod [Marinelli] and Monte, of course, all the credit and Jason [Garrett], of course."